City defender Richards said: 'Spurs are favourites now. We can just go for it. We don’t have to worry. We have the quality in our side to do that and we will bounce back.'

The loss to the Toffees was only City's fifth in the Premier League this season and first in front of their own fans.

Richards added: 'We thought we could capitalise on our game in hand but it didn’t work out that way and we are devastated in the dressing room.

'The referee didn’t help us but we had our chances to put the game away. In the end we didn’t create enough and we have to look at ourselves

'The free kick in the first half that led to Everton’s first goal was a low blow because we thought we had the game by the scruff of the neck. The second one came on the counter-attack when we were stretched so I am not sure 2-0 was a fair reflection.

'What we have to do now is make sure that we use the loss as a springboard. We have to launch ourselves on a winning run again.

'There are no ifs and buts. We have eight cup finals and we have to win them all starting against Wigan on Monday night.'